Colombian racer Juan Pablo Montoya says he will leave the US stock car racing circuit next year to return to IndyCar with the Roger Penske Racing Team.
Montoya competed in Formula One from 2001-2006 but then departed to drive in the closed-cockpit National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) series for car owner Chip Ganassi.
The 37-year-old South American racer will jump to Ganassi rival Penske when he returns to the IndyCar Series in 2014.
“I am really excited to join this legendary team beginning next year,” Montoya said in a statement on Monday.
Montoya is the only driver who has won the Indianapolis 500, Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Daytona. His 11 open-wheel victories include the 2000 Indianapolis 500. Montoya won the 1999 season title as a rookie in the IndyCar CART series.
While driving for Williams and McLaren in F1, Montoya won seven Grand Prix, including the 2003 Monaco GP, and had 30 podium finishes.
In NASCAR, Montoya won in 2007 at Sonoma and 2010 at Watkins Glen. He managed 24 top-five finishes and nine pole positions in 244 starts.
“Juan is a proven winner at all levels of motorsport,” said Penske. “He has won a lot of races and championships and he has an extremely passionate fan base. We look forward to building on his successes together.”